WTAM Local News

State wants to shut down daycare center; co-owner wants it kept open

by Tom Moore, Newsradio WTAM 1100

(Northfield Center) -- The state is taking steps to shut down a daycare in Northfield Center whose co-owner allegedly showed up to work drunk, but the other co-owner wants to keep the business open by buying out her partner.

Debbie Keleman, co-owner of First Class Preschool and Child Care Center, tells WTAM 1100 that she is attempting to buy out co-owner Dana Gruszka, and that she will apply for a new state license to keep the day care center operating.

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services says it has begun the process to revoke the center's license, but for now, it remains open. Keleman says she will have to apply for a new license to get one without Gruszka's name on it.

About a month ago, Gruszka was charged with two dozen counts of child endangering. Keleman calls Gruszka "one bad apple" who has been the only bad person on staff at First Class.